Among the rarest and most collectible ancient beads are those that were owned by the Paiwan people of Formosa (Taiwan). In this case, we can see four different necklaces of these hierloom beads (combined with nice Chinese enamel elements, that are nontraditional). A curious thing about these beads is that some are made from powderglass (which is statistically unusual outside of Africa and Europe). The greenish beads in the lower left are consistent with Middle Eastern beads recovered now in Egypt and Israel, and dating from ca. 600 BCE. (These are often sold as being "Roman," though they are actually OLDER than the Roman Period.)

The white neckalce in the center is from Nepal, and is typical of signifying jewelry worn by married women—consisting of a "tilari" (a bead that appears to be seven beads in a row, usually gilded silver), strung on multiple strands of seedbeads. In this instance, the seedbeads are white. They could easily be red, green, or any number of colors.

JDA